Drapery manufacturing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides improvement in a drapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame having first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including a transverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley with respect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, the improvement provided by the present invention comprises combining with such a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of its frame for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontal line on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequently removed from the device and then creased by means located remote from the device. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combining the marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means for horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means.

United States Patent 1 Tuskos [11] 3,738,007 June 12, 1973 22 Filed:

[ DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE Jan. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 221,528

[52,] [1.8. CI 33/18 R, 118/35, 223/1.1, 38/104 [51] Int. Cl B431 13/00[58] Field of Search 223/1, 1.1, 30, 32;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,439,438 4/1969 Tuskos38/104 3,548,502 12/1970 Baldwin 33/18 R 3,661,106 5/1972 Haddelston121/262 2,347,644 5/1944 Sell 117/1 2,538,784 1/1951 Gosnell et al 117/1X Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Att0rneyl-1arry B. ODonnell, III

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention provides improvement in a draperymanufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding frame havingfirst and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guide tracks;a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connected theretofor vertical movement with respect to the frame and including atransverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley tograsp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panelin a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley withrespect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically withrespect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontalreference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, theimprovement provided by the present invention comprises combining withsuch a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of itsframe for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontalline on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequentlyremoved from the device and then creased by means located remote fromthe device. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention,such a device is preferably additionally improved by further combiningthe marker means with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage meansfor horizontal movement relative to the lower end of its frame acrossthe space between the vertical frame guide tracks for simultaneouslytrimming the panel lower edge while the folding line is also beingmarked thereon by the marker means.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for manufacturingdraperies and, more particularly, to a device which enables its operatorto quickly and accurately determine the desired length of a panel to beformed into a drapery and to establish a hem folding line across thebottom of the panel.

The present invention is particularly concerned with improvement of adevice such as that described in detail in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,438,issued Apr. 22, 1969.

The general procedure in manufacturing draperies is to attach side byside, as by sewing, a sufficient number of vertical panels of materialto provide the desired overall width of a main drapery section and tofinish the top edge and the two vertical side edges as required. In anordinary installation draperies are suspended or hung from rods whichare horizontally disposed on walls; and a proper visual effect requiresthat the bottom hem line look fitted to the room floor also.

Prior to the invention of my aforenoted patented device, it was commonpractice, called tabling, to lay a drapery panel flat on large tablesand to make spaced measurements from the top edge of the drapery and topin the hem in as the operator works from one side edge of the draperyto the other marginal side edge. Additional problems were involved withvarious types of material in this horizontal tabling procedure, due touneven pulling and stretching of loose woven fabrics or the like.

While this tedious old horizontal tabling procedure can be obviated byuse of my aforenoted patented device, I have since found that matterscan be still further facilitated by using this patented device of mineas improved in accordance with the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides improvement in adrapery manufacturing device of the type including: an upstanding framehaving first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guidetracks; a trolley transversely spanning the tracks and movably connectedthereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame and including atransverse member; means on the transverse member of the trolley tograsp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the panelin a vertically extending plane on upward movement of the trolley withrespect to the frame; drive means to move the trolley vertically withrespect to the frame; and reference means defining a horizontalreference plane adjacent the lower end of the frame. Basically, theimprovement provided by the present invention comprises combining withsuch a device marker means located adjacent to the lower end of itsframe for movement relative to its reference means to mark a horizontalline on the drapery panel such that the panel can be subsequentlyremoved from the device and then creased by means located remote fromthe device.

The improved arrangement provided by the present invention isparticularly advantageous over that described in my aforenoted U.S.Patent in that it eliminates the need that creasing means, such as anironing board, be combined with the device. It is further advantageousover this previously patented device of mine since the improvedarrangement frees such a device to operate on additional panels as soonas the marking operation is completed on one panel. The improved deviceneed not be tied up during the creasing or ironing operation, which isof a considerably longer period of time than that required for markingthe folding line. As improved by the present invention, one such devicecan now be operated to supply marked panels to several ironers or othersuch creasing means remotely located from it.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, such a deviceis preferably additionally improved by further combining the markermeans with cutting means mounted therewith on carriage means driven byelectrically powered drive means for horizontal movement relative to thelower end of its frame across the space between the vertical frame guidetracks for simultaneously trimming the panel lower edge while thefolding line is also being marked thereon by the marker means. Stillmore improvement can be provided in accordance with the presentinvention by further combining the marker means with control means forautomatically deenergizing the trolley drive means following itsmovement to a predetermined distance above the reference means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic front elevational view of an improveddrapery manufacturing device that is provided in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational perspective view of apresently preferred form of drive means for moving the trolley means ofthe device vertically with respect to its frame;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view takenalong line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary sectional view takenalong line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electriccircuit that can be used to control the trolley drive means;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partly broken, fragmentary front elevationalperspective view of carriage means provided in accordance with thepresent invention at the lower end of the device frame for horizontalmovement relative thereto and of marker and cutting means carriedthereby;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of drivemeans that can be employed to move the carriage means; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a presently preferred form of electriccircuit that can be utilized to control the carriage drive means. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularlyto FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a presently preferredform of an improved device 10 that is provided in accordance with thepresent invention for manufacturing draperies and the like. While itshould be understood that the device 10 could obviously be utilized forother purposes, such as curtain manufacturing, etc., the descriptionthat follows will be confined to drapes for the sake of clarity andbrevity.

-mounting members 12 and 13 and a trolley 14 which transversely spansthe space between the vertical members 12 and 13 and is movablyconnected thereto for vertical movement with respect to the frame 11 byelectrically powered drive means 15. The trolley 14 is generallyrectangular in shape and is comprised of at least one transverse member16, such as that forming its upper edge, which is provided with grippermeans, such as a series of spring clamps 17, to grasp a panel 18 to beformed into a drapery and vertically position the lower end of the panel18 with respect to reference means 19 defining a pair of verticallyspaced horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t adjacent the lower end ofthe frame, upon upward movement of the trolley 14. A drop box 21 is alsoprovided which spans the lower end of the frame 11 to receive the lowerend of the panel 18 and prevent it from coming into contact with theshop floor.

The vertical frame members 12 and 13 are spaced apart by a distancegreat enough to accommodate the widest panel 18 to be operated upon. Inaccordance with an improvement provided by the present invention, thesevertical frame members .12 and 13 are sup ported by a generallyhorizontal base member 22 of the frame 11 and need not be fixed to ashop wall as was the case with my aforenoted patented device.

Vertical tracks are provided for the trolley 14 by respectively fixing apair of channel-shaped members 23 and 24 to the vertical frame members12 and 13, as by welding or other suitable fastening means, to extenddownwardly from the tops thereof. The generally rectangular shapedtrolley 14 is vertically arranged on the front of the frame 1 l andpreferably includes a second transverse member 25 which is spaced apartfrom and parallel to its other transverse member 16 and thus forms itslower edge. The two transverse members 16 and 25 of the trolley areinterconnected by a pair of side members 27 and 28 that respectivelyform its left and right edges. Each of these side members 27 and 28 ofthe trolley is provided with rollers 29 that are engaged in the verticaltracks respectively provided by the members 27 and 28.

In further accordance with the present invention, the

frame 11 is provided with an additional pair of vertical.

members, only one of which 30 is visible in the drawings, that arerespectively spaced behind and in alignment with the two trolley trackbearing vertical frame members 12 and 13. Each of these two rearvertical frame members, such as the member 30, has its lower endsupported by the frame base member 22 and has its upper end connected tothe vertical member 12 or 13 immediately in front of it by a horizontalframe member 31 that extends fore and aft of the device 10. The fore andaft top members 31 are interconnected by another horizontal top member32 which extends transversely between them. Yet another vertical framemember 330 is provided that is centrally located between the two rearvertical frame members, such as the member 30, and has its lower endsupported by the frame base member 22 and its upper end connected to thetransverse top frame member 32.

As further shown in FlGS. l-3 and 5, the drive means 15 for the trolley14 comprises a reversible rotary electric motor 33 that has its housing34 fixed to a bracket member 35 which extends horizontally andrearwardly from the right rear vertical frame member 30 at a higherelevation than the reference means 19. The motor 33 has its rotaryoutput shaft 36 provided with a sheave 37 which is interconnected by abelt 38 to another sheave 39 that is mounted on the right end of atrolley drive shaft 40; The trolley drive shaft 40 extends horizontallybetween the left and right vertical frame members 12 and 13 and isrotatably journaled in and connected thereto by bearing blocks 41 thatare mounted on yet another pair of horizontal frame members, only one ofwhich 42 is visible in the drawings, that extend fore and aft betweenthe two pairs of front and rear vertical frame members. The trolleydrive shaft 40 is provided with sprockets 43L and 43R adjacent itsopposite left and right ends, and these sprockets 43L and 43R arerespectively connected by left and right trolley drive chains 44L and44R to other sprockets 45L and 45R that are provided on the oppositeleft and right ends of a driven shaft 46. The driven trolley shaft 46extends across the top of the frame 11 and is rotatably journaled inadditional bearing blocks 47 that are fastened to the transverse topframe member 32. One end of each of the two trolley drive chains 44L and44R is respectively connected to the left or right bottom corner of thetrolley 14, while the opposite end of each chain 44L and 44R isrespectively connected to the left or right top corner of the trolley14.

With this arrangement, rotation of the motor output shaft 36 in a firstdirection (clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) will cause upwardmovement of the trolley 14 relative to the frame 11, whereas rotation ofthe motor output shaft 36 in an opposite direction (counter-clockwise asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5) will cause downward movement of the trolley 14.Upward movement of the trolley 14 is assisted by a counterweight 48shown in shadow in FIG. 1 that is connected to the center of its uppertransverse trolley member 16 by a cable 49 which is draped over pulley50 that is connected centrally on the driven shaft 46.

In accordance with the present invention, the device 10 is provided withcontrol means for de-energizing the trolley drive means 15 followingmovement of the trolley 14 to a predetermined distance above thereference means 16. As best shown in FIGS. 1-6, these trolley drivecontrol means include an electric toggle switch 51 for energizing thetrolley drive motor 33 to rotate its output shaft 36 in either of itstwo opposite directions and a pair of so called electric microswitches52 and 53 for controlling de-energization of that same motor 33.

The toggle switch 51 is preferably physically mounted within a housingthat is fixed to the right front vertical frame member 13 at the handlevel of a typical operator, while the housing of one of the twomicroswitches 52 is fixed at a similar elevation on the front face ofthe right rear vertical frame member 30. This one microswitch 52 has itsactuator 52a arranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement witha cam surface 54 that is fixed on the rear of the right side member 28of the trolley 14 so as to limit downward movement of the trolley 14.The other of these two microswitches 53 serves to limit upward movementof the trolley 14 by the trolley drive means 15 and is itself mountedfor vertical movement relative to the frame 11 by manually operated uppelimit switch drive means 55. I

The upper limit switch drive means 55 includes a horizontal drive shaft56 that extends transversely to and is journaled for rotation in theright rear vertical frame member 30 at an elevation similar to that ofthe toggle switch 51. This upper limit switch drive shaft 56 has a handwheel 57 connected to its right end and carries a sprocket 58. Thissprocket 58 is connected by an endless chain 59 to another sprocket 60carried by a driven shaft 61 that is rotatably journaled in the rear endof the right one of the fore and aft extending top frame members 31.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper limit switch 53 has its housing fixedto a front facing surface of the endless chain 59 with its actuator 53aarranged to extend forwardly for temporary engagement with the camsurface 54 that is fixed on the right rear side member 28 of the trolley14 so as to limit upward movement of the trolley 14. The elevation ofthe upper limit switch 53 can be readily varied through manual operationof its drive means 55 by hand rotation of its hand wheel 57. Manualrotation of the hand wheel by an operator in a first direction(clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will cause upward movement of theupper limit switch 53 with respect to the frame 11 and the trolley 14,whereas rotation of the hand wheel in a second direction opposite to thefirst direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) will causethe upper limit switch 53 to be moved downwardly with respect to theframe 11 and the trolley 14.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, inadvertent movement of the upper limitswitch drive means 55 is prevented by the provision of a spring 62 whichaxially surrounds its drive shaft 56 and biases the drive sprocket 58into engagement with a stop 63 fixed on the vertical frame member 30.The sprocket 58 can of course be readily disengaged from the stop 63 bypushing the handwheel against the force of the spring 62.

In order to facilitate accurate length measurement of the drapery panel18 and the location of a hem at its lower end, the present inventionprovides the device with measuring means comprising a pair ofretractable measuring tapes 64A and 64B. Each of these measuring tapes 63A and 64B is housed in a casing, with the two casings 65A and 6513being fixed side by side on the front surface of the right frontvertical frame member 13 at an identical elevation above the referencemeans 19. Both of these tapes 64A and 64B extend upwardly from theirrespective housings, with the distal end of one 64A being connected tothe housing of the upper limit switch 53 by a first bracket 66A, whilethe distal end of the other tape 64B is connected to the upper rightcorner of the trolley 14 by another bracket 663. The casings 65A and 655for the two tapes 64A and 64B are respectively provided with windows 67Aand 678, each having a horizontal indicator line provided thereon.

In operation, the hand wheel 57 is pushed against the spring 62 androtated to cause the upper limit switch 53 and the distal end of themeasuring tape 64A that is connected to it to be moved to apredetermined desired elevation above the reference means which will beindicated by the particular meter mark on that tape 64A which is matchedup withthe indicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A. Then,subsequent operation of the toggle switch 51 will energize the trolleydrive motor 33 and cause upward movement of the trolley 14 by thetrolley drive means 15 until the cam surface 54 carried by the trolley14 engages the upper limit switch actuator 53a. This upward movement ofthe trolley 14 will cause simultaneous upward extension of the othermeasuring tape 643 that is attached to it by the bracket 66B. The twotapes 64A and 64B are so interrelated to one another, the referencemeans 19, the trolley 14 and the upper limit switch drive chain 59 that,when upward movement of the trolley 14 is stopped by engage ment to itscam surface 54 with the upper limit switch actuator 53a, the meter markon the trolley-attached tape 648 that is aligned with the indicator lineon the window 67B of its casing 65B will be identical to the meter markof the other tape 64A which was previously aligned with the indicatorline on its casing window 67A through rotation of the hand wheel 57.Thus, any metered tape length that is preset at the indicator line onthe window 67A of the casing 65A of the upperlimit-switch-attached tape64A through operation of the hand wheel 57 will be matched by thetrolley drive means 15 and automatically stopped there by the trolleydrive control means, with the equal actual matched length beingindicated by the mark on the tape 648 that is then aligned with theindicator line on the window 67B of its casing 658.

In order to avoid overriding of either of the two limit switches 52 or53 by the trolley drive means 15, the present invention further providesdisc-type brake means 68 which are best shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated,these brake means 68 include a disc 69 which surrounds and is fixed onthe trolley drive shaft 40 between its belt driven sheave 39 and rightdrive sprocket 43R. This disc 69 is normally engaged (and rotation ofthe trolley drive shaft 40 prevented) by brake shoe means (not shown indetail) held in contact therewith by one end of a lever 70 which isyieldably urged into its braking position by resilient means such as atension spring 71 that connects the opposite end of the brake lever '70to the right front vertical frame member 13.

The force of the tension spring 71 can, however, be

overcome and the lever 70 operated to release the brake shoe means fromdrive shaft brake disc 69 through operation of a linkage 72 by asolenoid 73 that is electrically connected in the control circuit forthe trolley drive means 15, as shown in specific detail in FIG. 6. Theelectrical connection of the brake releasing solenoid 73 is such that itwill be energized only when the trolley drive means motor 33 is alsoenergized. Hence, as soon as either of the two limit switches 52 or 53has its actuator 52a or 53a engaged by the trolley cam surface 54, boththe trolley drive motor 33 and the brake releasing solenoid 73 will besimultaneously deenergized and there will be simultaneous reengagementof the brake shoe means with the brake disc 69 with the de-energizationof the trolley drive means motor 33.

As shown in detail in the wiring diagram of FIG. 6, the reversibletrolley drive means motor 33 includes a pair of windings 33U and 33D,one of which 33U is operable when energized to drive its rotary outputshaft 36 in a first direction causing upward movement of the trolley 14and the other of which 33D is operable when energized to cause its motoroutput shaft 36 to rotate in the opposite direction and cause thetrolley 14 to be moved downward. As illustrated, the power source forthe trolley drive control means comprises a pair of electric power linesL1 and L2. The motor down winding 33D is connected in electrical serieswith the lower limit switch 52 by a conductor 74, while the up winding33U is connected in electrical series with the upper limit switch 53 byanother conductor 75. The seriesconnected down winding 33D and limitswitch 52 are connected in electrical parallel with the series connectedup winding 33D and the limit switch 53 by another conductor 76 to thefirst power line L1. These two electrically paralleled circuits arerespectively connected by conductors 77 and 78 to the two fixed poles51D and SlU of the toggle switch 31, which also has its movable actuator51A connected in electrical series with the braking solenoid 73 to theother power line L2 by conductors 79 and 80.

' Thus, assuming the trolley 14 is in its lowered position, as shown insolid lines in FIG. 6, with the cam surface 54 engaging and opening theactuator 52a of the lower limit switch 52, the trolley drive means 15can only be energized by moving the toggle switch actuator 51A from itsfirst or down position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6), wherein itengages one of the two fixed poles 51D of the toggle switch 51, to itssecond or up position (shown in shadow lines in FIG. 6), wherein it isengaged with the other fixed pole 51U and is consequently disengagedfrom the first fixed pole 51D of the toggle switch 51. This movement ofthe toggle switch actuator 51A to its up position will continue to causeenergization of the trolley drive means 15 and upward movement of thetrolley 14 until the trolley 14 reaches its desired uppermost position(shown in shadow lines in FIG. 6), with its cam surface 54, thenengaging and opening the actuator 53a of the upper limit switch 53 andthus simultaneously de-energizing the trolley drive motor 33 and brakerelease solenoid 73. Then, the only way that operation of the trolleydrive means 15 can be resumed is to return the toggle switch actuator51A to its first or down position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6)wherein it will be ire-engaged with the one fixed pole 51D andconsequently disengaged from the other fixed pole IU of the toggleswitch 51. This, in turn, will reenergize the trolley drive means tocause downward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley 14 camsurface 54 re-engages and opens the switch actuator 52a of the lowerlimit switch 52 and causes simultaneous de-energization of the trolleydrive motor 33 and the brake releasing solenoid 73.

In accordance with a particularly important aspect of the presentinvention and as best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the reference means 19defines a pair of vertically spaced horizontal reference planes 20h and20t adjacent the lower end of the frame 11 of the device 10, withrespect to which the lower end of the panel 18 is vertically positionedby attaching the panel upper end to the top of the trolley 14 by grippermeans such as the spring clamp 17. And, marker means 81 and cuttingmeans 82 are combined with the device 10 for respective movementrelative to these two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20! tosimultaneously mark a horizontal hem line 83 on the panel 18 which isaligned with the first or upper of these two reference planes 2011 andto simultaneously trim the lower edge of the panel along a cut 84 thatis aligned with the second or present invention is particularlyadvantageous over that described in my aforenoted US. Pat. No. 3,439,438in that it eliminates the need that creasing means, such as an ironingboard, be combinedwith the device 10 and permits the panel 18 to beremoved from the device 10 following the marking thereon of the hem line83 by the marker means 81 and the trimming of the panel 18 along withcut 84 by the cutting means 82 and to be subsequently creased andstitched by means (not shown) located remote from the device 10. Asimproved by the present invention, the device 10 need not be tied upduring the hem folding or creasing operation, which is of considerablylonger period of time than-that required for marking the line 83 andtrimming the bottom of the panel along the cut 84. As improved by thepresent invention, one such device 10 can now be operated to supplymarked and trimmed panels to several ironers or other such creasing orfolding means remotely located from it.

As illustrated in FIGS. l-2 and 7-9, the marker means 81 and the cuttingmeans 82 are both mounted on a single carriage 85 which is driven byelectrically powered drive means 86 for horizontal movement relative tothe reference means 19 at the lower end of its frame 11 across the spacebetween the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24 for simultaneouslytrimming the panels lower edge with the cutting means 82 along the cut84 while the hem line 83 is being marked thereon by the marker means 81.Furthermore, the device 10 is also preferably provided with controlmeans, including another toggle switch 87 and another pair ofnormally-closed electric microswitches 88 and 89, for automaticallyde-energizing the carriage drive means 86 upon completion of eachtraverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and24 by the carriage means 85.

Preferably, the two horizontal reference planes 20h and 20t that areprovided by the reference means 19 comprise a pair of angle irons 90hand 90! which are vertically spaced apart from one and other andhorizontally connected to the lower front sides of the left and rightvertical frame members 12 and 13, with their angles opening upwardly andforwardly. The vertical spacing between the two horizontal referenceplane forming angle irons 90h and 90! defines the length of the materialof the panel 18 that is utilized to form the hem at its lower end.

As shown in detail in FIG. 7, the carriage 85 comprises a plate havingone of its ends 85v hooked upwardly and provided with rollers 91horizontally journaled thereon. The rollers 91 are, in turn, mounted forrolling movement relative to carriage track means 92 that are formed onthe lower interior of a hollow frame member 93 which is connected to andextends transversely between a pair of downwardly arched frame members94 that are respectively connected to the bottoms of the left and rightvertical frame members 12 and 13 and extend forwardly and upwardlytherefrom to an elevation spaced between the two horizontal referenceplanes 20h and 20t. These frame members 93 and 94 also provide afoundation for the aforedescribed drop box 21.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the carriage drive means 86 includes anotherreversible rotary electric motor 95 that has its housing 96fixed to abracket member 97 which is, in turn, connected to the left end of thecarriage track-formingv frame member 93. The carriage drive motor 95 hasits rotary output shaft 98 provided with a sheave 99 which isinterconnected by a belt 100 to another sheave 101 that is mounted onone end of a carriage drive shaft 102 that is, in turn, horizontallyjournaled for rotation at the left end of the carriage track-formingframe member 93. The carriage drive shaft 102 extends in a fore-and-aftdirection with respect to the device and also mounts a drive pulley 103.The carriage drive pulley 103 is, in turn, connected by a cable 104 toanother pulley 105 which is mounted on a driven shaft 106 that isjournaled similarly to the carriage drive shaft 102 but located at theopposite or right end of the frame member 93. The carriage drive cable104 has one of its ends draped around the carriage drive pulley 103 andconnected to the left end of the upwardly hooked end 85v of the carriageplate 85 and has its opposite end draped around the driven pulley 105 ofthe carriage drive means 86 and connected to the right end of theupwardly hooked end 85v of the carriage plate 85.

With this arrangement, rotation of the carriage drive motor output shaft98 in a first direction (counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 79)will cause the carriage 85 to be moved in a first direction, from rightto left (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9), whereas rotation of the carriagedrive motor output shaft 98 in a second direction opposite to the first(clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9) will cause the carriage 85 to bemoved in an opposite direction with respect to the frame 11 andreference means 19 (from left to right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-9).

As further shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the carriage plate 85 has anotherend 85h which extends generally horizontally rearwardly from itsroller-provided, upwardly turned end 85v toward the reference means 19.The marker means 81 are connected to the top of this carriage plate end85h by an upright post 107 and preferably comprise a compressedair-operated nozzle 108 that is filled with a marking material of a typesuch that the hem line 83 that is marked on the panel thereby will beinvisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting. The compressed airis supplied to the marking nozzle 108 from a compressed air source (notshown) through a compressed air line 109 that is connected to themarking nozzle 108 through a normally closed valve 110 that is operatedby an electric solenoid 111.

As further shown in detail in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the cutting means 82comprises an electrically powered scissors which includes an electricmotor having a winding 112 that is contained within a housing 113 thatis mounted on the bottom of the rearwardly extending 85h of the carriage85. The scissors further include blades 114 that are aligned with thelower horizontal reference plane t.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the carriage drive toggle switch 87 ispreferably mounted on the front side of the right from vertical framemember 13 just below the trolley drive means toggle switch 51, and thetwo carriage drive microswitches 88 and 89 are respectively mountedadjacent the left and right ends of the carriage drive track-formingframe member 93 to form left and right limit switches.

As illustrated in detail in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9, thereversible carriage drive motor 95 includes a pair of windings 95L and95R, one of which 95L is operable when energized to drive its rotaryoutput shaft 98 in a first direction, causing leftward movement of thecarriage 85 with respect to the frame 11 and reference means 19 and theother of which 95R is operable when energized to cause its motor outputshaft 98 to rotate in the opposite direction and cuase the carriage tobe moved rightwardly with respect to the frame 11 and reference means19. As shown, the power source for the carriage drive control meanscomprises another pair of electric power lines L3 and L4. The motorright winding 95R is connected in electrical series with the right limitswitch 89 by a conductor 115, while the left winding 95L is connected inelectrical series with the left limit switch 88 by another conductor116. The series-connected right winding 95R and right limit switch 89are connected in electrical parallel with the series connected leftwinding 95L and left limit switch 88 by another conductor 117 to thepower line L3. These two electric paralleled circuits are respectivelyconnected by conductors 118 and 1 19 to the two fixed poles 87L and 87Rof the carriage toggle switch 87, which also has its movable actuator87A connected in electrical series with the cutting means motor coil 112and the operating solenoid 1 l l for the compressed air inlet valve 110of the marker means nozzle 108 to the other power line L4 by conductors120, 121 and 122.

Thus, assuming the trolley 14 is in its desired uppermost position, asshown in FIG. 1, and the carriage is in its rightmost position, with theright end of its upturned front end 85v engaging and opening theactuator 89a of the right limit switch 89, the carriage drive means 86can only be energized and the marker means 81 and the cutter means 82energized simultaneously therewith by moving the carriage toggle switchactuator 87A from its first or right position (shown in solid lines inFIG. 9), wherein it engages one of the two fixed poles 87R of the toggleswitch 87, to its second or left position (shown in shadow lines in FIG.9), wherein it is engaged with the other fixed pole 87L and consequentlydisengaged from the first fixed pole 87R of the carriage toggle switch87. This movement of the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A to its leftposition will continue to cause energization of the carriage drive meansmotor winding L, the marker means 81 and the cutter means 82 andleftward movement of the carriage 85 until the carriage 85 completes atraverse of the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and24. Then, the actuator 88a of the left limit switch 88 will be engagedand opened by the left end of the roller-provided end 85v of thecarriage 85 (as shown in shadow lines in FIG. 9) to thus simultaneouslyde-energize the carriage drive motor 95, the cutting means motor winding112 and the solenoid 111 for the compressed air supply valve of themarker means nozzle 108. Then, the only way that operation of thecarriage drive means 86, the marker means 81 and the cutting means 82can be resumed is to return the carriage toggle switch actuator 87A toits first or right position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9) wherein itwill be re-engaged with the one fixed pole 87R and consequentlydisengaged from the other fixed pole 87L of the carriage toggle switch87. This, in turn, will energize the other carriage drive means motorwinding 95R, the marking means 81 and the cutting means 82 and causerightward movement of the carriage 85 until the right end of the upwardturned end of the carriage 85v re-engages and opens the switch actuator89a of the right limit switch 89 (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 9) andcauses simultaneous de-energization of the carriage drive means 86, themarker means 81 and the cutting means 82.

OPERATION To operate the improved device that is provided in accordancewith the present invention, an operator need perform only six simplesteps.

First, the operator attaches the upper edge of the panel 18 that is tobe marked for hemming and trimming to the upper'end 16 of the trolley 14with the spring clamps 17 which are provided for that purpose.

Second, the operator depresses the hand wheel 57 against the tensionspring 62 and rotates it to set the desired length of the panel 18 fromits upper edge to the hem line 83. Rotation of the hand wheel 57 by theoperator is ceased when this desired length is indicated by thealignment of that particular meter mark on the left tape 64A with theindicator line on the window 67A of its casing 65A, and the hand wheel57 is then released by the operator to hold the upper limit switch 53 inthat desired predetermined uppermost position.

Third, the operator moves the trolley drive toggle switch actuator 51Ato its up" position. This will cause energization of the trolley drivemeans and the upward movement of the trolley 14 until the trolley camsurface 54 engages and opens the actuator 53a of the upper limit switch53, whereupon the meter mark on the trolley-attached right tape 64B thatis then aligned with the indicator line on the window 673 of its casing65B is identical to the meter mark on the left tape 64A which wasaligned during the second step through operation of the hand wheel 57.

Fourth, the operator moves the carriage drive toggle switch actuator 87Ato its left position. This will simultaneously cause energization of themarker means 81, the cutting means 82 and the carriage drive means 86and the carriage will be moved from right to left in a complete traverseof the space between the vertical trolley guide tracks 23 and 24, withthe hem line 83 being marked across the entire width of the lower end ofthe panel 18 by the marker means 81 and the bottom edge of the panel 18being trimmed across the entire width of the panel 18 by the cuttingmeans 82 at the desired distances from the upper edge of the panel 18.The leftward movement of the carriage 85 and the operation of themarking means 81 and the cutting means 82 will, of course, besimultaneously stopped when the left end of the upturned front end ofthe carriage 85v engages and opens the actuator 88a of the left limitswitch 88.

Fifth, the operator moves the trolley drive means toggle switch actuator51A to its down" position. This will cause downward movement of thetrolley 14 until its cam surface 54 engages and opens the actuator 52aof the lower limit switch 52 and returns the upper edge of the trolleyto the hand level of the operator.

Sixth, the operator detaches the upper edge of the marked and trimmedpanel 18 from the clamps l7 and removes the panel 18 from the device 10.Now, the panel 18 can be transported to a source of ultraviolet lighting(not shown) that is remotely located from the device 10 where it can befolded or creased with respect to the hem line 83 and stitched withoutfurther tying up the device l0.

Obviously, a wide variety of lengths between its upper edge and hem line83 can be respectively preset and automatically stopped for the panel 18through operation of the hand wheel 57 and the automatic controls thatare provided for the trolley drive means 15 in accordance with thepresent invention.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while there hasbeen described what presently is considered to be a presently preferredembodiment of this invention in accordance with the Patent Statues,changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actuallydeparting from the true spirit and scope of this invention. It istherefore intended that the appended claims shall cover suchmodifications and applications that may not depart from the true spiritand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a drapery manufacturing device including: an upstanding framehaving first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guidetracks; a trolley transversely spanning said tracks and movablyconnected thereto for vertical movement with respect to said frame andincluding a transverse member; means on said transverse member of saidtrolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to holdsaid panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of saidtrolley with respect to said frame; drive means to move said trolleyvertically with respect to said frame; and reference means defining ahorizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of said frame, animprovement comprising:

marker means mounted adjacent said lower end of said frame for movementrelative to said reference means to mark a horizontal line on said panelsuch that said panel can be subsequently removed from said device andthen creased along said line by means located remote from said device.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the line marked by said markermeans is invisible unless viewed under ultraviolet lighting.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said marker means is carried bycarriage means mounted on said lower end of said frame for horizontalmovement relative thereto.

4. The invention of claim 3, further including cutting means. carried bysaid carriage means for simultaneously trimming the lower edge of saidpanel while said line is also being marked thereon by said marker means.

5. The invention of claim 4, further including control means forautomatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movementof said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

6. The invention of claim 4, further including electrically powereddrive means for moving said carriage means horizontally relative to saidlower end of said frame across the space between said frame guidetracks.

7. The invention of claim 6, further including control means forautomatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movementof said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

8. The invention of claim 6, further including control means forautomatically de-energizing said carriage drive means upon completion ofa traverse of said space by said carriage means.

9. The invention of claim 8, further including control means forautomatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movementof said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

10. The invention of claim 1, further including control means forautomatically deenergizing said trolley drive means following movementof said trolley to a predetermined distance above said reference means.

1. In a drapery manufacturing device including: an upstanding framehaving first and second spaced, vertical plane defining, parallel guidetracks; a trolley transversely spanning said tracks and movablyconnected thereto for vertical movement with respect to said frame andincluding a transverse member; means on said transverse member of saidtrolley to grasp an edge of a panel to be formed into a drapery to holdsaid panel in a vertically extending plane on upward movement of saidtrolley with respect to said frame; drive means to move said trolleyvertically with respect to said frame; and reference means defining ahorizontal reference plane adjacent the lower end of said frame, animprovement comprising: marker means mounted adjacent said lower end ofsaid frame for movement relative to said reference means to mark ahorizontal line on said panel such that said panel can be subsequentlyremoved from said device and then creased along said line by meanslocated remote from said device.
 2. The invention of claim 1, whereinthe line marked by said marker means is invisible unless viewed underultraviolet lighting.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said markermeans is carried by carriage means mounted on said lower end of saidframe for horizontal movement relative thereto.
 4. The invention ofclaim 3, further including cutting means carried by said carriage meansfor simultaneously trimming the lower edge of said panel while said lineis also being marked thereon by said marker means.
 5. The invention ofclaim 4, further including control means for automatically deenergizingsaid trolley drive means following movement of said trolley to apredetermined distance above said reference means.
 6. The invention ofclaim 4, further including electrically powered drive means for movingsaid carriage means horizontally relative to said lower end of saidframe across the space between said frame guide tracks.
 7. The inventionof claim 6, further including control means for automaticallydeenergizing said trolley drive means following movement of said trolleyto a predetermined distance above said reference means.
 8. The inventionof claim 6, further including control means for automaticallyde-energizing said carriage drive means upon completion of a traverse ofsaid space by said carriage means.
 9. The invention of claim 8, furtherincluding control means for automatically deenergizing said trolleydrive means following movement of said trolley to a predetermineddistance above said reference means.
 10. The invention of claim 1,further including control means for automatically deenergizing saidtrolley drive means fOllowing movement of said trolley to apredetermined distance above said reference means.